The fast
deterioration of the
political climate in Egypt, with
its
chilling effect on freedom of expression, is most manifest in the
recurrent persecution and arrest of avant-grade artists
and writers, and is now even “targeting laughter”, with the arrest of members
of the satirical group “Street Children” on Monday 9 May. They are accused
of charges falling under terrorism law, in an attempt to make them “stop
laughter”, with consequences on freedom of expression and creativity, in particular,
and freedom of opinion in Egypt, in general. It is a message from the
regime that says “shut up”, not even satire is allowed, or you will be accused
of “trying to topple the regime”, a term used now more than ever in the public
sphere, without a clear legal definition.

Most of
the group members
who are being detained for 15 days pending investigations, are in their 20s, with
some of them waiting for awards ceremonies from their universities,and one
of them with a spot waiting in a Theatre Festival in Paris. Instead,they were
thrown behind bars, and are waiting for yet more retaliation just because
they used their right to make people laugh.

The
signatories of this statement
demand the urgent and unconditional release of the “Street Children” group
members, dropping all accusations against them, and request a free reign for
freedom of opinion, imagination and satire. The signatories demand the most basic of
everyday life human rights, the right to laugh, a prominent trait for Egyptians,
sourly missed over the last few years, under pressure, intimidation and
recurrent blanket statements on countering terrorism and maintaining security.

The
Street Children performing
group is formed of six “amateur” actors, who met through a workshop about
“street theatre” (also known as “social theatre”). They performed in Cairo, in
several poor areas, to take the theatre to the people who cannot afford to
go to the theatre. One of them, a contemporary dancer and actor, holds a
mobile phone to shoot a selfie video, where they sing and satirically
discuss
social issues, like any similar performing group anywhere in the world.

They said
about themselves,
“we are young people working in theatre. We decided to shoot videos on the
street, full of crazy ideas. You will find us everywhere, around you and among
you. Even if your day is full of anxiety and pressure,
you will
see that the street is also full of laughter”.